Most people couldn’t remember the exact minute they fell in love with someone else. Pierce on the other hand knew.

They were shooting “The Winner Takes It All.” Meryl was standing in front of him, singing her heart out, gesturing passionately and he was just standing there, watching her.

Then he realised.
He loved this woman in front of him with all his heart and he had to master every ounce of self control in his body not to grab her and kiss her right there.

He wanted to so badly.

But he didn’t.

Not until later… much later. They lay in bed together that night, holding onto each other and that’s when he whispered it.

“I love you. I thought it was lust, but it’s not. I love you, Meryl.”

She looked up at him, tears shining in her eyes.

“Pierce… I love you too.”

They didn’t really know what else to say. All they could do was hold each other tightly as they waited for morning to arrive.

“You’re far away.”
Meryl jumps when Mamie’s voice pulls her out of her Pierce-driven thoughts, putting on a quick smile.

“Oh, you know how I get when I’m about to start on a new movie.”

“This is different though.”

“Different? How?”

“You just seem… different. Are you all right?”
”I’m fine.”

“You sure?”

“Yes, Mamie. I’m fine. Let it go now.”

“Okay…”

Meryl sighs, shaking her head slowly.

“I’m sorry I snapped at you. I just… I’m just tired, that’s all.”

“Mom, are you sure that’s all that’s going on?”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s just… ever since you returned from Greece, you’ve been different. I don’t know how, just different.”

“It’s your imagination, Mamie.”

“Mom, how can you say that? I know you, okay! It’s not my imagination.”

Meryl sighs, focusing on the road in front of her.

“Mamie, I am tired. I have this new movie I’m about to start and I’m nervous about it.”
”You? Nervous?”

“Yes. Success doesn’t make you immune against failure!”

Mamie frowns, looking at her mother seriously.

“This is exactly what I mean. You’re never this worried!”

“No, I never show it.”

“So why are you now?”

“Because I… I don’t even know, Mamie. Everything is just different and strange and confusing now. Maybe I’m just getting old.”

“I’m sorry if it felt like I was interrogating you. I’m just worried about you.”

“Don’t be. I’m fine, really. Maybe I just… need some time on my own. Get away from everything.”

“Is everything okay with you and dad?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”

“No, I’m just asking. So… you think getting away would work? Where would you go?”

“Oh, I don’t know… just away from snapping photographers and… everyone and everything…”

“Why don’t you take a holiday? Away from everything.”

“Maybe that’s a good idea. I just don’t know where I would go.”

“Italy? You love it there…”

Meryl nods, suddenly smiling.

“You know, that’s a great idea. I’m booking me a flight now!”

“All you and dad need is a few days alone and…”

“No… I think I’m going on my own, your father is working on this new sculpture…”

“He can work in Italy too, can’t he?”

“You know how he is, Mamie. Leave it.”

“Okay.”

They nod at each other and Meryl sighs, running her fingers through her hair.

“Do you mind if we head home now? I’m kind of tired…”

“No, it’s fine.”

Meryl nods slightly, flashing Mamie a quick smile.

“Thank you. Sorry for being such bad company, sweetheart.”

“It’s okay.”

“Hey honey.

Pierce forces a smile onto his face when Keeley enters the living room, winking at her.

“Hey.”

“Are you all right? You’ve been distant for a while now…”

“I’m fine. Just thinking about this new movie role they’ve offered me.”

“Oh? Does it seem interesting?”

“Yes. Yes, it’s a good role.”
”Who else is in it?”

“They… they’ve got Meryl in the lead.”

Keeley’s smile suddenly fades and she looks at her husband gravely.
”Pierce, I don’t want you doing it.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I don’t want you working with that… that woman… again.”

“Meryl is a fantastic actress. And one of my friends. Why wouldn’t you want us working together?”

“Because, Pierce! Because I saw the movie. I saw the photos.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t play dumb with me. Now, I don’t know what’s going on between you and her, but I know there’s something. I know you have a silly little crush on the fat old hag. I don’t want you working with her again!”
Pierce stands up, looking at his wife angrily.

“I’ll work with whoever I want to. Stop being so damn insecure. And don’t call her a fat old hag when you know that she’s anything but that.”

“Thank you for just confirming my suspicions, Pierce.”
Pierce smirks, shaking his head slowly.

“Come on, Keeley. Face it. If she was a fat old hag… would you feel this threatened?”

He walks out on her before she can even formulate an answer, his heart jumping when his phone starts ringing in his pocket. He glances at the screen, grinning, and looking over his shoulder before answering it.

“Hey.”

“Hey Pierce.”

She sounds so tired and stressed and he wants to rush to wherever she is and just hold her. Instead he sighs.

“Give me a minute to get some privacy.”
”Okay. I’ll hold on.”

“Are you all right?”

“Yes.”

“You know… for an actress of your esteem, that was really unconvincing.”

“Look, I’m fine. I just need to get away. That’s why I called.”
”I’m listening.”
”I’m going to Italy for a while and…”

“Ooh… sounds great. We could get a villa and…”

“No. Pierce, listen to me.”

“Okay…”

“I’m doing this to get away from everyone. Everything… I need time on my own. To figure things out.”

“Oh?”

“So… just… for a while, don’t talk to me. Don’t call me, don’t… come and look for me. When I’m ready… I’ll call you and we can figure this whole thing out.”

“Okay. Just… one thing?”

“What?”

“When you’re trying to figure this thing out… just remember that I love you. And it kills me not to be with you.”

“I’ll remember that.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”
”I love you, Meryl. I love you so much.”

“I love you too. More than anything in the world.”

“Damnit. Then why is this so difficult?”

“Because it’s life. And life is rarely easy…”

“Yeah… looks that way, doesn’t it?”

“Goodbye, Pierce.”

“Oh, mom! Look, isn’t this beautiful?”

Mamie smiles, holding a beautiful black dress up for Meryl to inspect.

Meryl nods slightly, her fingertips tracing the lovely material.

“It is… beautiful.”

“You should try it on.”

“Me?”

“Yes. You always look lovely in black.”

Meryl smiles, taking the dress from Mamie.

“Maybe I should try it on.”

When the dress is on, tracing her every curve with the silky material, Pierce’s words suddenly come back to haunt her.

You look gorgeous in black. You take my breath away.

It was the night after they had filmed Dancing Queen. The cast had decided to head out for a night on the town and Meryl had decided on wearing a tight fitting black dress with a low neckline. She had noticed Pierce’s hungry eyes on her the moment she stepped into the lobby.

Of course, she would have enjoyed it much more hadn’t he looked so breathtakingly handsome in his crisp white shirt and black pants. Of course he saw the desire in her eyes. Pierce seemed never to miss anything when it concerned her.

It was the thing she loved and hated most about him.

Whenever she was scared, angry, sad, irritated, tired, excited… he could read her. He could read her better than anyone else ever could have.

In a way… it frightened her. It made her vulnerable to him and she hated it. She hated that he could make her feel so weak. She hated that she couldn’t resist him, no matter how hard she tried. They were taking a walk on the beach after dinner, the rest of the cast had long gone. Suddenly he turned, facing her, his voice hoarse and filled with emotion.

“Meryl… You look gorgeous in black. You take my breath away.”

“Mom? Are you ready?”

Mamie’s voice through the closed door pulls her from her thoughts and she opens the door slowly, looking at her daughter expectantly.

“Well?”

“Wow…”

Mamie gasps, looking at her mother wide eyed.

“You look… beautiful. You should buy it.”

Meryl smiles, looking down at her dress.

“I should, shouldn’t I?”

“Definitely. You look fantastic, mom.”

“Thank you.”

“So you’re taking it?”

She nods, her heart beating fast.

“I’m starting Losing Senses soon, so I might as well have a dress ready for when we all go out!”

“Do you know who the rest of the cast is going to be?”

Meryl shrugs, pointedly avoiding Mamie’s eyes.

“I’m not sure… they asked Pierce but he’s still deciding. And I think they’ve asked Hugh Grant and Kate Walsh, but I’m not sure.”

“Would you like working with Pierce again?”

“Yes, why not?”

“How’s he to get along with?”

“Fine. He’s laid back. Funny. We talked a lot, it was fun.”

She smiles, looking down at the dress again.

“I’m going to change and then we can pay!”

Mamie nods, watching as her mother retreats back into the changing room. Maybe it was her imagination… but when her mother talked about Pierce there was something in her voice. Something she’d never heard before.

Pierce could still vividly remember their first meeting. He’d walked through the studio doors, excited about a fun new film, entering a room full of people. She was sitting on a couch, dressed in jeans and a loose black top. Her blonde hair hanging over her shoulders. She was talking to Colin Firth, laughing and using her hands to explain something and the realisation of her unearthly beauty hit him.

She wasn’t pretty. Calling her pretty would be an insult to her.

She was a rare classic beauty, more beautiful even than her movies and photographs had shown her to be.

Without even trying, she stood out above all the other people in the room. His gaze was transfixed upon her until Stellar playfully hit him on the shoulder.

“Don’t fret on it. We all just stared for a few minutes when we walked in.”

“Yeah?”

“She’s Meryl Streep. She’s not human – she’s a goddess.”

“You can say that again. She’s…”

“Gorgeous. Talented. Amazing.”

“Yeah… How does he…”

“Talk to her?”

“Yeah. I’m completely starstruck here!”

Stellar laughed again, shaking his head.

“Just… try talking to her and you’ll forget she’s Meryl Streep. As soon as you talk to her she just becomes Meryl.”

“She’s sweet and down to earth too?”

“She is. She hasn’t got the faintest idea that she holds such power over all these people…”

Pierce simply laughed before nervously approaching her.

“I…”
She stood up, her blue eyes sparkling.

“Pierce Brosnan. Wow, it’s fantastic to meet you!”

There was no trace of sarcasm or dishonesty in her voice and he instantly felt at ease in her presence.

“Meryl Streep. What an honour.”

“Oh, stop! I’m just… me.”

“You’re an unbelievable actress, I’ve watched all your movies over again and… now I sound like a crazy fan.”

“You don’t sound like a crazy fan at all. I’ve done my fair share of watching your James Bond movies as well.”
”And you didn’t even tell me that I was the best Bond ever?”

Meryl laughed, lifting a brow teasingly.

“Well… I have to be honest now, Mr. Craig did have a stunning scene or two.”
”Oh, you wait… I’ll have my fair share of blue lycra in this film I hear.”

And that was it. Suddenly it felt as though they had known each other for years and without even realising it, they started spending more time together. Now, Pierce had always found her attractive. It was no secret – not to anyone. It wasn’t a secret that he’d really fancied the blonde beauty while he was in drama school either. Admitted, he was a bit embarrassed about it and didn’t want to tell her about it. Then one night they were sitting on the island, staring out at the ocean. The rest of the cast were all out partying or in their hotel rooms, sleeping. Pierce had noticed Meryl walking along the beach and he followed her. They ended up sitting on the sand, next to each other, staring out in front of them – each holding a beer in their hands.

Pierce looked at Meryl with a sheepish grin and she turned her head to look back at him, a slight frown creasing her brow.

“What?”

“It’s just… you…”
”What about me?”

“I just… suddenly thought about how… terribly much I fancied you when I was in drama school.”

She actually blushed, shaking her head slightly.

“I don’t believe that for a second.”

“It’s true. And you are still… just as beautiful as you were then.”
”Oh, stop it! You’re lying.”

“No… Yes. I am.”

Her eyes widened slightly and he started laughing.

“You’re more beautiful now than you were then, Meryl.”

The electricity between them suddenly reached a thousand volts and he slowly leaned in, trying to read her expression.

Before Meryl could even consider thinking about the situation, his lips were on hers softly, tentatively.

She pulled back, looking at him with a confused frown.

“Pierce… what’s happening?”

“I don’t know.”

“We shouldn’t start this.”

“We already did.”

Their lips met again, this time fervently and with all the built up passion they had denied for so long. Pierce groaned, pushing her down on the sand, his tongue duelling with hers, her arms creeping around his neck. He pulled away a bit, looking into her passion filled eyes.

“Meryl…”

She simply leaned up again, kissing him with such force that all caution was thrown into the wind in a second.

It started with a drink. One innocent drink turned into something that she couldn’t take back. Not that she necessarily wanted to take it back. Well not all the time.

But at times… she wished that her life never turned into this complicated mess it was now.

What was worse was that she only had herself to blame for it.

Meryl leans back in her chair, her eyes focused on the TV screen in front of her.

Her mind elsewhere.

She jumps when her phone starts ringing shrilly, staring at the screen for a few seconds before answering it tiredly.

“Hello Pierce.”

She can practically hear him smirk over the phone before his husky voice talks in her ear, robbing her of all other senses.

“I didn’t think you’d answer.”
”How could I not answer?”

“They called me about Losing Senses.”

She tries to act like she doesn’t really care, but she can’t hide the hint of excitement and desperation in her voice.

“Oh? And?”

“Do you want me to do it?”

“Pierce, I can’t… make your choices for you. You have do decide for yourself what… what you want.”

“Do you want to see me again?”

“Of course I want to see you again! We were friends before we started… we were friends.”

“A long long time ago, isn’t that right Meryl?”

She sighs, her heart breaking at the tone of his voice.

“Yes. A lifetime ago.”

He sighs at the other end of the line and somehow she knows that he is shaking his head tiredly.

“I can’t go on like this.”

“Like what?”

“I love you.”

“Pierce…”

“Don’t Pierce me. I love you and I know that you love me too. This is crazy, we should be together!”

“We can’t be… we can’t be together. I’m married. So are you. There are… children involved. It’s too complicated.”

“I need you, Meryl.”

“No. You want me.”

He laughs gruffly and she closes her eyes, resting her hand against her forehead.

“I won’t deny that. But it’s more than that and you know it.”

“I don’t know anything anymore.”

“I’m going to do it.”

“Okay.”

“I’m going to do it for one reason only and that reason is you. I need to spend more time with you, I need to see you again. I need to hold you, kiss you again.”

“This is wrong, Pierce. It’s so wrong.”

She knows what he’s going to ask before he asks it and she knows that she’s not going to have an answer.

“If it’s so wrong… why does it feel so right?”

There is a long silence, broken when Meryl hears the front door opening and her daughter’s voice booming through the house.

“I have to go. Mamie is here. Goodbye.”

“Meryl…”

“Goodbye, Pierce. Thank you for calling.”

She throws the phone down just as the young woman enters the room and Mamie looks at her mother with a smile.

“Hey. Who was on the phone?”

“Pierce.”
”Oh?”
”Yeah, he wanted some advice on a movie.”

“Cool. Listen, I was thinking… we hadn’t really talked in a while. Want to go out and grab lunch?”

Meryl forces herself to smile and ignore the feeling of guilt building up in her heart.

“Sure. Let me just get my bag.”

Pierce stares at his phone for a long time after Meryl had put it down in his ear, his heart beating wildly.

He knew this was wrong, he knew it.

And he cared about Keeley. But Meryl… He’d always thought she was a picture of classy beauty and elegance.

Then he met her and they just clicked instantly. Before long… what had started out as deep and meaningful conversations had turned into one of the most intense relationships he’d ever had.

Maybe working on another movie with her was a mistake.

But he needed it. He needed to be with her again.

He sighs, chucking his phone to the side and closing his eyes.

“I love you, Meryl.”